Association of a history of varicella virus infection with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the association of a previous history of varicella virus infection with multiple sclerosis (MS) and its subtypes.


METHODS
We performed a case-control study including 126 cases and 157 controls. Subjects were divided into subgroups according to MS subtype and the history of varicella virus infection along with other variables was assessed.


RESULTS
History of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection was positive in 42% of controls and 66% of MS cases (p<or=0.001). Patients with a history of VZV infection had a threefold risk increase of having MS. Regarding MS subtypes, relapsing-remitting (RR) MS had four times the risk and secondary progressive had a threefold increase in risk when compared with control patients.


CONCLUSIONS
An association between varicella infection history and MS was found, particularly in the RR subtype.
Rodríguez-Violante
Mayela
M
Neurodegenerative Diseases Clinical Research Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico.
Ordoñez
Graciela
G
Bermudez
Jesus Ramirez
JR
Sotelo
Julio
J
Corona
Teresa
T
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G